WASHINGTON, D.C. – Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc., of Newberry, Fla., has been named Small Business Exporter of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The recognition is part of the celebrations of National Small Business Week, an annual event designed to honor the best small businesses of the nation.
The award will be presented jointly by SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and Eileen Sanchez, Associate Administrator for the Office of International Trade, on May 2 during a National Small Business Week event at the U.S. Institute of Peace, in Washington, D.C.
David Peter Bello, Sr., ERPI’s founder and CEO, will receive the award on behalf of his company.
The substantial, increasing importance of exporting to the U.S. national economy cannot be overstated. In FY2015, SBA lending hit yet another record, with 1,777 loans for a total of $1.45 billion, which resulted in $3 billion in small business export sales.
Small businesses like ERPI are taking advantage of opportunities created by agreements such as NAFTA and, more recently, the Trans-Pacific Partnership. SBA is proud to actively support these free trade agreements as we help American small businesses grow and create jobs through exporting.
ERPI was launched in 1997 with four employees, much as a local provider of parts and replacement products to endoscopy repair shops in the area. Thanks to exporting, the company was able to expand and now has a staff of 14 employees, handles more than 2,000 lines of products, exports to about 70 countries in all continents, from Argentina to Vietnam, and reached sales of over $3.7 million in 2014.
ERPI won the award as SBA Exporter of the Year based on the following criteria:
- Increased sales, profit and/or growth of employment because of exporting
- Creative overseas marketing strategies
- Effective solutions to export-related problems, including trade financing, payment and currency issues; market-entry and logistical challenges; and cultural differences.
- Demonstrated encouragement for other small businesses to export
- Volunteer assistance to other small businesses entering the export market
- Cooperation with other businesses in the creation of export trading companies and/or introduction of unique trading relationships, products or services
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Small Business Week 2016 cosponsors include: Chase for Business, SCORE, ADP, Colonial Life, Intuit, Sam’s Club, Square, YP, ESET, Facebook, Instagram, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL), and VEDC.
Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2016 SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any Cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA/SCORE programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact: smallbusinessweek@sba.gov. SCORE is partially funded by SBA Cooperative Agreement No. SBAHQ-14-S-0001.
National Small Business Week is an annual event organized by SBA to recognize the achievements of the top small businesses in the nation. Since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. This year National Small Business Week will be recognized from May 1-7 with national events planned in Washington, D.C., New York, Denver, Phoenix, Oakland and San Jose, Calif. Events throughout the week will be live-streamed on SBA’s website at www.sba.gov. Make sure to check in during the event for live social media engagement, using the hashtag #DreamSmallBiz. For more information on the national events please visit: www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek.
About the Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. www.sba.gov